A solution is a homogenous mixture of two or more substances in which the particles are completely dispersed. A colloidal solution is one in which some of the components are present as small particles that have not dissolved. The term solution comes from the Latin solvere, to dissolve or to release.

A solution may contain a liquid or a solid evenly dispersed through it. This may occur by the material being totally dispersed throughout the solvent or it may be that the solid is held in suspension. For a solution to be truly regarded as a solution the solute must be evenly dispersed (the mixture must be homogenous) and there must be no tendency for the solute to settle out of solution. A colloidal solution has the same properties as described. The physical properties of a solution vary depending on the proportions of the components of the system...